preponderance
|pre-pon-der-ance|
🇺🇸
/prɪˈpɑːndərəns/
🇬🇧
/prɪˈpɒndərəns/
outweighing; greater weight or influence
Etymology
'preponderance' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praeponderare,' where 'prae-' meant 'before' or 'in front of' and 'ponderare' meant 'to weigh'.
'preponderance' changed from Late Latin 'praeponderantia' and entered English via Middle French and Middle English forms before becoming the modern English 'preponderance'.
Initially, it meant 'to outweigh' or 'to have greater weight,' and over time it evolved into the modern sense of 'greater number, influence, or importance'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or condition of being greater in number, quantity, or importance; superiority in amount or influence.
There was a clear preponderance of young people at the festival.
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Noun 2
greater weight or force of evidence or argument, especially used in legal contexts to indicate the standard required in civil cases.
The jury found for the plaintiff by a preponderance of the evidence.
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Last updated: 2026/01/15 17:41